Pet Health 

Pets can change a lot in a person’s world. They really become a part of the family. So when your pet’s health is failing from age or unforeseeable circumstances, it can be devastating. We talked to local pet experts for some advice on keeping pets happy and healthy so you can continue to enjoy their presence in your life for as long as possible.

A crucial aspect of pet health is knowing what stage of life your pet is at and how to provide the appropriate care for that stage. For dogs, puppyhood begins at birth and can last anywhere between six and 18 months. This time is an essential period of nutrition and growth, so their diet and exercise should be closely monitored. Vaccines are going to take place throughout this entire period so be sure to choose a vet you trust! Adulthood is reached between one to three years after birth. This is when your dog will be in the best shape of his or her life, so make sure to provide plenty of exercise opportunities to keep excess weight off. This phase becomes official when your pup has reached the typical height and weight for their breed or size. Seniority in dogs starts between six and 10 years of age. Larger breeds tend to have shorter life spans and are considered seniors earlier than smaller breeds.

For cats, kittenhood lasts from birth to one year. Kitten food, regular vet visits, and rapid growth are what you can expect from this time period. Age-related diseases usually start appearing in cats from year eight to 10. A balanced diet and endless love are crucial for your feline friends at this stage of their life.

As our fur-babies age, they actually develop many of the same problems seen in elderly humans. Some of the most common problems geriatric pets show are cancer, heart disease, diabetes, joint or bone disease, senility, and weakness. Pain develops slowly over time, so look out for a decrease in mobility, refusal to jump up to heights they’re accustomed to, a lack of appetite, and/or an increase in anxiety and stress.

If your pet is experiencing pain or discomfort at any age, it can be difficult to know what to do as an owner. One option to consider is CBD oil. CBD oil is used to increase the quality of life of your pet and can be used for pain, inflammation, anxiety, and appetite stimulation. A core reason why many people turn to CBD oil is to help a pet overcome anxieties. We spoke to Garrett Carbonell from CBD American Shaman for more information on how their products can help your fur-babies.

“We always encourage new pet owners to look into CBD as an option to support their pet’s endocannabinoid system,” said Garrett. “This can support joint health and helps to relieve stress. Pets this time of year are very susceptible to stress due to thunderstorms and increased social activities.”

Garrett also told us all about the newest pet products that CBD American Shaman is currently offering: “Our newest products include CBD Doggy Food, Itchy Ear Ointment, and Flaky Cat treats, and, of course, we have our proprietary water-soluble classic option for canines and felines.”

CBD American Shaman is dedicated to bringing wellness to the world (fur and skin alike!) through ultra-concentrated terpene-rich CBD oil derived from all natural, high quality industrial hemp. It’s always 100% organic, gluten free, non GMO, and has no heavy metals or insecticides. Pets can be revitalized at all stages of their life with their CBD Hemp oil tincture.

When you’ve committed to investing in the health of your pets, you can feel at peace when your journey with them eventually comes to an end because you know you did everything you could to give them the healthiest and happiest life possible. It’s important to show them as much love and loyalty through their senior years as they showed you in their youth. Jason Elmore, owner of Paws & Remember of Nebraska, told us about how many people choose to remember their fur-babies after they pass away.

“At Paws and Remember, we want to keep your lost pets as close to your heart as possible. We have a variety of products to do that, from pet memorial wind chimes to the traditional urn. No matter what option you choose, we will help you along every step of the way through this devastating time.”

Paws and Remember works tirelessly to provide grief support and memorialization to pet owners across the country. They work with veterinarians to provide staff training and education, grief room displays, pet cremation services, and more. Overall, they strive to make this time go as smoothly as possible through timely, reliable, and empathetic service.

Pets leave a paw print on our hearts that don’t go away, so we should do everything we can to take care of them. It can feel overwhelming, taking responsibility for the health of your pet, but there are local experts to walk you through every step of the way.